EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A 35-year-old former professional mixed martial arts fighter accused of murder for fatally shooting an unarmed man after a Springfield traffic crash has pleaded guilty to reduced charges.
The Register-Guard of Eugene reports (https://bit.ly/1Hm1wPp ) that Gerald Strebendt pleaded guilty Thursday to criminally negligent homicide with a firearm. He was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison, but will receive credit for time served.
The charges come after Strebendt’s vehicle collided with a car driven by David Paul Crofut in January 2014. Prosecutors say after the crash Strebendt called 911 and an emergency dispatcher was still on the line when Strebendt pulled a .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle from his pickup and shot Crofut.
Police have said Crofut was unarmed.
Strebendt’s attorney had claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense.
___
Information from: The Register-Guard, https://www.registerguard.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.